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I . J. K. L. Ross9 Aggregation of Stars Thirty-Six Horses in His Stable at Laurel Cudgel a Handsome Thoroughbred Billy Kelly the Kentucky Derby Hope War Pennant for the Preakness BALTIMORE. Mil., February 20. With the close : approach of the eastern racing season of 1910. which opens at Howie on April 1, considerable interest is being manifested in the personnel and preparations of the racing stables that wintered in this vicinity and that will take part in the Maryland spring meetings. Naturally, the great aggregation of racing stars comprising the stable of Commander J. K. L. Koss. the leading money-winner of 1018, commands the most attention. The Ross horses, numbering thirty-six, have wintered at laurel Park, and owing to the mild climatic conditions prevailing in these parts during the past two months, permitting considerable outdoor exercise, are much more forward than horses are usually at this time of the year. They are all the picture of health and ready for early training. Cudgel, the star of the older division and one of the best handicap horses . in the country, is one of the handsomest thoroughbreds In America today; big all oyer, but symetrically proportioned, without a blemish and appears ready to be put in training at a moments notice. Cudgel won $."!3;.S2i last year, and is expected to do as well, if not better, during the campaign of 1010. Hilly Kelly, the wonderful little gelding that the great majority of racegoers pronounced the liest two-year-old of 1018, despite his defeat by Eternal in the special riice at Laurel last fall, has not grown tremendously during the winter., but of late lias filled out considerably and now stands fifteen and one-half hands high, with muscles; of steel and legs sound as the day he was foaled. .Billy Kelly will be entered in the. Kentucky Derby, and so confident is his owner that he will yiji that coveted and historic race that he recently wagered .1.000 niT him to beat Eternal, in the event that .they bntlu start in the race.,.. -. . . Aside- from Billy Kelly. Commander -Ross- has another pi eminent, candidate for the - three-year-old honors of the year in War Pennant, the colt purchased from A. K. Mncomber when that turfman decided to retire from racing, only to change his" mind after the sale had been made. War Pennant has developed into a wonderful young horse, and Mr. Bedwell says he never saw a colt improve as he has in such a short time. War Pennant will be the main reliance of the Boss stable in the ..1.000 added Preakness Stakes, to be run at Pimlico in .the spring, and may also be entered in the Kentucky Derby in the event of some mishap to Billy Kelv. Motor Cop, War Milrvel, Milkmaid. Sir Barton, Fitzwilliam. Hillliiimpton, Priscilla Mullens, Dam-rosch. Boniface and Dramaturge are among others in the stable that have grown and filled out considerably during the winter rest and will help to make the Boss stable as formidable as Jt was last year. Of more than passing interest, are the two-year-olds in the Boss string, all of which are entered in the important juvenile stakes of the year. Among them are Royal Jester, a son of Black Jester and Primula II.. for which Commander Ross paid .-1. .100 at the Arthur B. Hancock sale at Saratoga last August. This was next to the highest price paid for a two-year-old during the year, and was one of the best-looking yearlings shown in the market, and his looks seemed to horsemen to justify the high price paid for him. Royal Jester is registered as a bay colt, but, as a niattor of fact, he should be described as a brown, and today he has a glossy brown coat, though not quite so dark as that of War Pennant, another beauty, which he somewhat resembles, not only in color, but in general conformation. This youngster has grown into a fine two-year-old, and Bedwell says that he is certain that he is one that will show a lot of speed. It is not Royal Jester, however, that seems to he the favorite among the two-year-olds so far us the trainer is concerned, for he is particularly proud of King Thrush, a chestnut, colt by Thrush Silent Queen, and also seems most" enthusiastic over Irish Dancer, a half-brother of The Porter, this one being by Celt Ballet Girl. Also there is Trench Mortar, a fine-looking imported colt by Flint Rock- Topiary, this making lilm a half-brother to Major August Belmonts great sire. Tracery. This is a handsome youngster, and he should be heard from in the best of company among which he is engaged for the various turf prizes for his division. As for the well-named Irish Dancer, he certainly is an Impressive youngster, and is as large today as his half-brother. The Porter, was last year. It could be s?en that King Thrush was one of whom Bedwell has great expectations, probably as great as of any two-year-old in his barn. This youngster, purchased nt the same sale along with Royal Jester, brought, S3.300. just .1,000 less than that paid for the brown colt, and as ,for- Trench, Mortar, he only brought 00. at the Major Belmont sale, where he showed up rather small. He has grown wonderfully, however, and now looks quite up to his fine breeding. Irish Dancer was another colt that brought a big price, he having been sold at auction for "apt. P. M. Walker, bringing the tidy sum of .1919.sh,000. The Boss stable is not strong numerically when it conies to the two-year-old division, the owner of the establishment seeming to prefer buying hors-.s that have shown real racing qualities rather than attempt to take a chance on the untried ones. Trainer Bedwell himself is not particularly partial to fillies, and there are but three that looked worthy of mention in the string. His Choice, a handsome black miss by Hessian Melee, is the star of the trio, although Bryngar, a daughter of Gurry Herrmaiin Brynwood. looks well. She is one that .Commander Boss bred at his Montreal farm, whore she was a pet as a youngster. She is the filly which, while being led around the sIhmI at Laurel recently, recognized her owner, and broke away from the stable boy to thrust her brown muzzle into her owners chest, seeking recognition from him.
